Jeddah

State

Mecca

Country

Saudi Arabia

Continent

Asia

Size

1,600 KM²

Population

3,500,000

Spending Budget

$1,637 - $5,512

Best Time to Visit

January
February
March
November
December

History

The main historical significance of Jiddah, especially for the Muslims is that it has the port of Mecca where the majority of Muslim pilgrims landed while journeying to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Caliph ʿUthmān, in 646, made it the port for Muslim pilgrims crossing the Red Sea. This year-round flow of pilgrims and ships allowed for business to thrive in the region and it soon became a commercially important region. In 1916, the British took over Jiddah and they then made it a part of the Kingdom of the Hejaz. Then, in 1925, it was captured by Ibn Saud. Thus in 1927, the British recognized Saudi sovereignty over the Hejaz and Najd regions via the Treaty of Jeddah. After this, Jiddah was incorporated into Saudi Arabia. The city takes its name (which means “ancestress” or “grandmother”) from the alleged location of the tomb of Eve that was said to be there. It was destroyed in 1928 by the Saudi government whose Wahhābī leanings concluded that the tomb encouraged “shirk” or “širk” meaning idolatry. In 1947 the walls surrounding the city were demolished to allow for rapid expansion of the growing city beyond its confines. This was possible due to the new wealth acquired by Saudi Arabia from oil royalties. Jiddah’s harbor was deepened and enlarged to accommodate larger vessels. A desalinization plant was also constructed in the early 1970s and it was thought to be the largest in the world at its completion. The city’s economy, which was once dependent on pilgrim expenditures and fishing, was diversified in the 20th century to include steel-rolling mills, oil refineries, and the manufacture of cement, clothing, and pottery, besides adding cattle raising and dairying and many small industries. Jiddah soon became the diplomatic capital of the country and the location of Saudi Arabia’s ministry of foreign affairs and of the embassies and missions of foreign governments. Later, all these were transferred to the Saudi capital of Riyadh in the mid-1980s.

Present Day

While most of Jiddah’s residents are Sunni Muslims, a very small minority are Shia Muslims, and there is also a large foreign workforce presence. The moral codes established by Shari’ah permeate through the government, courts, and civil and criminal laws. Thus, it is no surprise that the city has over 1,300 mosques. Under the Shari’ah law, other religions’ buildings, books, icons, and expressions of faith are not allowed in the city or even the country. But having said that, a private religious observance that does not involve Muslims or offend public order and morality is tolerated. GDP perc capita: $31,273 Even before being designated the port city for Mecca, Jiddah has long been a port city and a trading hub for the region. During the 19th century, high-value items such as mother-of-pearl, tortoise shells, frankincense, and spices were routinely exported from the city. A lot of the things transported to and from the region, northern Africa, and Europe went through the city and its harbor. As all of the capitals of the Middle East and North Africa are within two hours flying distance of Jiddah, it makes it the second commercial center of the Middle East after Dubai. Its industrial district is also the fourth largest in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh, Jubail, and Yanbu. King Abdullah Street, running from King Fahd Road by the waterfront in the west of Jiddah to the eastern end of the city, is famous for hosting numerous corporate offices and commercial developments. Madinah Road contains the main offices of several companies and showrooms

Future

As the principal gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is a key, growing urban hub in the Middle East. Over recent decades it has experienced unprecedented population growth, rising from 50,000 residents in the 1940s to nearly four million today. This extraordinary rate of change has resulted in fragmented development which was further hindered in 2010 after the city was hit by a catastrophic storm causing tragic loss of life and extensive damage. With the aim of revitalizing the city, AECOM was appointed to create the Jeddah Plans, a framework for sustainable and balanced future growth. In partnership with Amana, AECOM is delivering plans that will redefine the city’s future, creating a series of well-connected centres and a network of quality open spaces, with improved access to amenities and public transportation. Operating on a huge scale, the project involves a record number of stakeholders to consult, critique and reach consensus on a new path forward for Jeddah. The Jeddah Plans invest in ensuring the prime location of metro stations, encouraging residents to decrease their dependence on cars and giving them improved access to amenities and jobs. The creation of a people-friendly public realm is also critical to the success of the plans.

Must Visit Places ------------

Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum

It was founded by Sheikh Abdul Raouf Khalil in 1996. The museum presents the rich Islamic cultural heritage of the city and also its pre-Islamic history that goes all the way back to 2500 years. It showcases artifacts that date back from the recent Ottoman Turks all the way back to the fishermen tribes who were the first inhabitants of the region.

King Fahd’s Fountain

At 312 meters (1,024 ft), is the highest water jet in the world according to the Guinness World Records and can be seen from a great distance. Built in the 1980s, the fountain was donated to the City of Jeddah by the late King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and was thus named after him.

Al-Rahmah Mosque

It is also called “the Floating Mosque” as it is built above water. Locals and tourists come to the mosque to lounge by the waterfront.

Al-Jawhara Stadium

Used mostly for football, it is the largest stadium in Jiddah and the second largest in all of Saudi Arabia.

King Saud Mosque

It is the largest mosque in the city and displays beautiful Islamic architecture designed by Egyptian architect Abdel Wahid El-Wakil.

NCB Tower

With a height of over 235 m (771 ft), the National Commercial Bank Tower was Saudi Arabia’s first bank and was believed to be the highest tower in Saudi Arabia during the 1980s after it was built in 1983.

Al Balad and Gabel Street

Al Balad (Historical Jeddah) and Gabel Street Souq (Qabel Trail) together form the city’s oldest market that can give an authentic Middle Eastern shopping experience. While traditional perfumes, leather bags, and shoes are plenty in the market, Gabel Street Souq is also known for its gold market where careful haggling will reward you well. Musk, oud, myrrh, and frankincense can also be found in the myriad of spice shops and apothecaries.

Tahlia Street

Another mecca for brand lovers, Tahlia Street host brands like Rolex, Cartier, Armani, H

Shawarma Shakir Aljazeera

This is a Middle Eastern grill that serves up traditional beef and chicken shawarma quickly and on the cheap.

Mataam al Sharq

Another Lebanese restaurant has a high-end menu and a dining area with views of the Red Sea.